Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

Topic Author: Rusty Lord

Posted: 5:20 AM Mar 12, 2009

Replies Posted: 18 comments

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Just an FYI for all those watchers of severe weather. The criteria need for issuance of a severe thunderstorm warning has changed a bit. Previously, a thunderstorm needed winds of 58 mph or greater and/or hail larger than 3/4" in diameter to prompt the issuing of a severe thunderstorm warning. Well, after a study done by the National Weather Service to determine the destuctive property of hail, it has been found the most damage done by hail tends to be when that hail is around 1" in diameter or greater. (Roughly the size of a quarter). Therefore, starting April 1st, thunderstorms must now show signs of hail of at least 1" diameter of greater and/or 58 mph or greater winds before a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

What does this mean? It should reduce the need to warn for borderline storms that contain small hail. This is just a characteristic of most thunderstorms. Also, it gives more significance to severe thunderstorm warnings when they are issued. Remember, a severe thunderstorm with winds and hail can cause significant damage. That was no more evident than last June here in Omaha!

So, just in case you wondered, "what makes a thunderstorm severe?", now you know. :)

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

by Dustin on Aug 20, 2009 at 08:17 PM

last night was interesting, last night was August 19th, 2009. It was dark to the south west, at 9:00 pm, we just got blasted with hail! some of the hail pieces were pretty decent sized, i'd say a nickel or quarter sized, some might of been golf ball. What i know of, there is no hail damaged to the crops. but we got saved. our crops don't need the hail!

by Ron on May 24, 2009 at 12:23 PM

Thanks for the info Rusty. Any new information on severe weather keeps us all safer. By the way, youre a fantastic addition to the weather team. Im more likely to trust a weatherperson when they show confidence in their forecast like you do. Keep up the quality work!

by Rusty on May 24, 2009 at 08:25 AM

That's what usually happens with these sort of storms. They develop with the heat of the day, move whichever way they please and usually dissipate pretty quickly.

by Dustin on May 23, 2009 at 08:22 PM

Today up here in portsmouth on May 23, 2009, was really kinda interesting, it was a clear day, and then it started getting dark to the north and we started getting nailed by hail, and rain, and wind. Then around 3:00 it happened again. The hail was only pea sized though.

by Anonymous on May 21, 2009 at 05:56 AM

isnt that change crazy

by Rusty on May 18, 2009 at 08:30 AM

John, Each severe weather event is its own separate entity so hard to compare one season to another until it happens. We sure haven't had much this year. Moisture just hasn't made it this far north on a consistent basis. Most of the areas of low pressure have tracked to our south so far this season as well.

by John on May 17, 2009 at 02:40 PM

What type of severe weather season you think we will have this year..? Do you think it will compare to last years june?

by Rusty on May 14, 2009 at 02:35 PM

JW, it was some radar software by Gibson Ridge. GRLevel3

by JW on May 13, 2009 at 05:50 PM

This morning on the chat when the bad weather was happening you mentioned some weather software you use at home, what was it. The power here at home went off just as I started to read all the post

by Willie on May 7, 2009 at 02:11 PM

We have a track meet this evening in Arlington. Will Washington county be in any danger of severe weather this evening?

by Rusty Lord on May 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM

We could see tornadoes at any time now! It's definitely that time of year!

by Mike on May 6, 2009 at 11:10 AM

When should we start seeing tornados? I love severe weather and I hope this years as good as last year. Go storm chasing!!

by Cori on Apr 29, 2009 at 04:01 PM

1" in diameter for hail in order to be "severe"? I got busted in the forehead a couple summers ago trying to move my car into the garage during a hail storm that was only around pea size. My bloody forehead and dizziness would have definately disagreed with that requirement!

by Morgan on Apr 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Hi i am 12 years old and i am deathly afraid of storms. I was just wondering if you were expecting any tornadoes today?!?! Please let me know! Thanks a bunch!

by Morgan on Apr 26, 2009 at 10:08 AM

Hello weather people. I am 12 years old and i am very afraid of storms. I have a bike helmet that I wear during storms. I was just wondering if you are suspecting any tornados today. I would like to know so that i am prepared. Thanks!

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